Lindsey Optics has announced an update to their super speedy Brilliant² Tray Mount Close-Up lens. The +1 Diopter now has the profile of just a single tray.
In July last year we highlighted the Tray Mount Diopter Set – a product that combines a 138mm diopter filter with conventional 4X6.65” tray mount.
Combining the filter and tray saves time on set; switching between diopter stages can be quite a time consuming task for camera assistants.
Lindsey Optics has now refined the +1 diopter into a single stage, meaning it now aligns with the lesser +1/4 and +1/2 increments:
+¼ / +½ +1 – Thickness of 1 stage
+2 – Thickness of 2 stages
+3 – Thickness of 3 stages
It’s fairly significant as many matteboxes are 2-3 stages. Conventional diopter trays are 2 stages, meaning only one is left for other filtration.
Magnifications up to +1 are generally the more popular choice with diopters, +2 or more is generally considered for more specific purposes.
So with the Lindsey Optics Diopter set you’re now mostly using just a single stage for diopters, leaving one for ND and one spare for creative (Black Pro Mist etc).
Freeing up a bit of time and a mattebox tray stage are nice little on-set wins; they all add up on the day.
Links below for full set kits as well as single +1 stage.
Are you using diopters or are you looking into it? Let us know in the comments below!

It’s only been a few weeks since we last talked to Rob from Bright Tangerine at NAB 2016. However, the company has kept quite busy and were eager to show us some of their newest products.
Geared Grad Tray
This add-on to Bright Tangerine‘s Strummer DNA matte box allows you to control the position of a graduated filter by raising or lowering the filter tray. The mechanism works via a whip similar to those you can use on follow focus gears, with support on both sides of the tray for added stability. The Geared Grad Tray easily attaches to the back of the matte box, and is available in both 4×5.65 or 6×6 filter size.
New Top Flag
This new model will phase out existing top flags for this matte box. The advantage is that it now allows you to fully cover the front of the matte box when lowered down, protecting the front of your lens and filters during down time or lunch breaks (“Lunch breaks? What are those?” I hear some of you ask yourselves).
Gloves
Bright Tangerine have also developed gloves combining durable leather and lightweight materials. The result is a very useful pair of gloves suitable for all aspects of production. And it’s designed to even work on touch screens.
These new products – along with the Revolver follow focus unit which they demonstrated at NAB 2016 – will be available from their store in approximately six weeks’ time.
Thanks again to Rob Eagle from Bright Tangerine!